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Program Overview FAQs
Program Overview FAQs
OpenEd Program Overview FAQs
Q: What is OpenEd?
A: OpenEd is a tuition-free public school program that provides a personalized education experience for students. Our program helps students gain valuable tech and entrepreneurship skills that will allow them to be successful in college, career, and life. We believe that students with a strong foundation in creativity, innovation, technology, and business are poised to change the world for good.
Q: Is there a fee to participate?
A: The OpenEd program is 100% free to all participating families.
Q: Are the classes all online?
A: That's up to you! Classes can include your choice of online, in-person, and/or hands-on educational resources.
Q: How and when did the OpenEd program begin?
A: In 2009, a group of passionate parents, certified teachers, administrators, technology enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and business leaders partnered with public schools to create a new, innovative education model focused on creating unique, personalized educational experiences for every child.
Q: Why focus on technology and entrepreneurship?
A: We believe America was founded and thrives on the principles of innovation and entrepreneurship. We also believe a strong foundation in technology is critical for current and future success in college, career, and life.
Q: Will my child have a teacher?
A: Yes! Every student has access to a state-certified teacher who can provide guidance and support to help them progress during the year. Teachers review your child's weekly learning logs and provide positive feedback and ideas to enhance learning.
Q: What are weekly learning logs?
A: A weekly learning log is a short summary of the student's educational activities. It is how students demonstrate active participation in the program and serves as an official attendance record. Weekly learning logs are required and may be submitted by the parent or student via video, Google Docs, a family blog, a digital journal, or simply typing directly onto the provided page. You choose which method is best for you!
Q: Which curriculum can I use?
A: We enable parents to use the best curriculum for their unique students, so the universe of options is endless! Learn more about your options.
Q: How much involvement is required of the parent?
A: That's entirely up to you! Depending on the curriculum and classes you choose, your role in supporting your child can vary from minimal oversight to active teaching participation.
State-Specific Information
Indiana
- Students are full-time private school students (not public)
- Administered by district, private and charter schools
- Includes information about wallet of funds for educational resources
Q: Is OpenEd an online public, private, or charter school?
A: Neither! OpenEd is a personalized education program administered by schools (district, private and charter). Students in the OpenEd Indiana program are full-time private school students and are assigned to a School of Enrollment.
Q: How can I ensure my student has access to the kinds of educational resources they'd receive in a traditional school?
A: Once your student is enrolled through OpenEd, you'll receive access to a wallet of funds that can be used to support your child's unique learning plan. As long as a purchase directly supports a subject or goal in your student's individualized education plan, you can use your wallet funds to cover it—just like a traditional school might provide textbooks, software, or lab kits.
Kansas
- Administered by public, private and charter schools
- Students remain full-time public school students
- Includes wallet of funds information
Q: Is OpenEd an online public, private, or charter school?
A: Neither! OpenEd is a personalized education program administered by schools (public, private and charter). Students in the OpenEd Kansas program are full-time public school students and are assigned to a School of Enrollment.
Q: How can I ensure my student has access to the kinds of educational resources they'd receive in a traditional school?
A: Once your student is enrolled through OpenEd, you'll receive access to a wallet of funds that can be used to support your child's unique learning plan. As long as a purchase directly supports a subject or goal in your student's individualized education plan, you can use your wallet funds to cover it—just like a traditional school might provide textbooks, software, or lab kits.
Iowa
- Administered by public, private and charter schools
- Students remain full-time public school students
- Includes wallet of funds information
Q: Is OpenEd an online public, private, or charter school?
A: Neither! OpenEd is a personalized education program administered by schools (public, private and charter). Students in the OpenEd Iowa program are full-time public school students and are assigned to a School of Enrollment.
Q: How can I ensure my student has access to the kinds of educational resources they'd receive in a traditional school?
A: Once your student is enrolled through OpenEd, you'll receive access to a wallet of funds that can be used to support your child's unique learning plan. As long as a purchase directly supports a subject or goal in your student's individualized education plan, you can use your wallet funds to cover it—just like a traditional school might provide textbooks, software, or lab kits.
Wyoming
- Administered by public, private and charter schools
- Students remain full-time public school students
- Includes wallet of funds information
Q: Is OpenEd an online public, private, or charter school?
A: Neither! OpenEd is a personalized education program administered by schools (public, private and charter). Students in the OpenEd Wyoming program are full-time public school students and are assigned to a school of enrollment.
Q: How can I ensure my student has access to the kinds of educational resources they'd receive in a traditional school?
A: Once your student is enrolled through OpenEd, you'll receive access to a wallet of funds that can be used to support your child's unique learning plan. As long as a purchase directly supports a subject or goal in your student's individualized education plan, you can use your wallet funds to cover it—just like a traditional school might provide textbooks, software, or lab kits.
Utah
- Teachers are called 'Homeroom Teachers' instead of just 'teachers'
- Weekly Learning Logs are capitalized and emphasized as required
Q: Will my child have a teacher?
A: Yes! Every student has access to a state-certified Homeroom Teacher who can provide guidance and support to help them progress during the year. Homeroom Teachers review your child's Weekly Learning Logs and provide positive feedback and ideas to enhance learning.
Q: What are weekly learning logs?
A: A weekly learning log is a short summary of the student's educational activities. It is how students demonstrate active participation in the program and serves as an official attendance record. Weekly learning logs are required and may be submitted by the parent or student via video, Google Docs, a family blog, a digital journal, or simply typing directly onto the provided page. You choose which method is best for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OpenEd and how much does it cost?
OpenEd is a tuition-free public school program that provides personalized education experiences for students, focusing on technology and entrepreneurship skills. The program is 100% free to all participating families.
Is OpenEd an online school or traditional school?
OpenEd is neither an online nor traditional school. It's a personalized education program administered by public schools (and in some states, private and charter schools). Students remain full-time public school students and classes can be online, in-person, or hands-on based on your choice.
Will my child have a teacher and what are weekly learning logs?
Yes, every student has access to a state-certified teacher who provides guidance and support. Weekly learning logs are short summaries of educational activities that serve as attendance records and can be submitted via video, Google Docs, family blog, digital journal, or typed directly onto provided pages.
What curriculum options are available in OpenEd?
Parents can use any curriculum that works best for their unique students - the options are endless. OpenEd enables families to choose from a wide universe of educational resources to create personalized learning experiences.
Why does OpenEd focus on technology and entrepreneurship?
OpenEd believes America was founded on innovation and entrepreneurship principles, and that a strong technology foundation is critical for current and future success in college, career, and life. Students with these skills are positioned to change the world for good.